After moving to a new site GB3RF is suffering interference from an unknown source. As a result of this the FM mode has been disabled in
order to prevent the repeater being held open by the offending signal. Digital modes are also affected with System Fusion and DMR being badly affected.

DSTAR is currently the only usable mode with a delay in syncing. This means that in order to access the repeater a delay of approx. 3.5 seconds occurs between
keying your transmitter and the repeater syncing. Please bear this in mind when attempting to use DSTAR.

We are currrently working to identify the source of the interference and have it cleared.

The North Western Repeater Group was formed in 1976 to provide reliable mobile communication between Amateur Radio operators in it's coverage area detailed below. It currently operates GB3RF. The group meets at The Globe Bowling Club, Willows Lane, Accrington, Lancashire on the Third Thursday of each month starting at 8-00pm.

Membership of the group currently costs £10.00 per year, renewable after 12 calendar months.

To join, either contact the Treasurer or use the 'Subscribe' button below.

Quite reasonably Paypal levy a charge for handling our subscriptions. Unfortunately this means that we as a group do not receive the full £10 subscription. If you feel inclined you may wish to make an additional donation to the group in order to offset the Paypal charges. You must remember, however, that Paypal will also make a charge for the donation as there is currently no way of allowing both items to be added to the same transaction.

Before you click on the “Subscribe” button, please enter your callsign in the box below, as a reference :

or if you do not wish to join but would like to make a contribution to the running costs you can make a donation.

GB3RF

GB3RF was located on Hameldon Hill near Burnley in Lancashire for many years until site fee increases forced a change of site to its new location in Accrington, Lancashire. OS Grid Ref: SD 755272. It operates on channel R7 (New designation - RV62).

(27/09/2016) The repeater has now been updated with a MMDVM unit running with a Raspberry Pi. This now gives the repeater the additional features of having DSTAR and DMR as well as adding Internet connectivity to enable the connection to the various Talk Groups and Reflectors that are availble for each of the digital modes.

In order to ensure that the CTCSS code identifier is transmitted the beacon function of the MMDVM is enabled. Unfortunately the internal Ident. of the repeater needs to remain enabled in order to comply with the licencing conditions. This is because if FM is in use for any length of time the MMDVM beacon with be inhibited due to the way the unit is interfaced.

In order to use DSTAR on GB3RF you will need to set your radio with the following settings:

GB3RF is set to connect to DCS005B at startup. If a user switches the repeater to any other reflector then that reflector will remain in use whilst there is local DSTAR traffic. If there is no local DSTAR traffic for a period of 30 minutes the repeater will reconnect to DCS005B.

Blacklisting

The MMDVMHost software in use at GB3RF provides the ability to Blacklist users and prevent use of the repeater.

Use of Blacklisting is confined to only two instances:

1) A blatant breach of Amateur Radio Licencing conditions on the repeater, in which case Ofcom will also be involved. This alleviates the need to close down the repeater in the event of user licencing breaches.

2) Where any operator has been requested to desist from specific activity and has failed or refused to do so.

The Repeater Keeper reserves the right to remove or add a user to the blacklist at any point.

The club has a weekly net held on Thursday evenings at 20:00 on GB3RF. If 'RF is in use by other operators then it is suggested that members call on S20 (FM) or 144.6125 MHz (Digital) and QSY appropriately.

Committee

Chairman

Jim - G1HUW

Secretary

Vacant

Treasurer

Vacant

Membership Secretary

Ian - G0BMH

Repeater Keeper

Ian - G0BMH

The constitution of the North Western Repeater Group and ARC can be viewed here.